VIETNAM or VIETNAM or INDOCHINA WAR (s)INDOCHINA WAR (s)

FRENCH INDOCHINAFRENCH INDOCHINA

French colonize French colonize parts of Southeast parts of Southeast Asia in 1880s, incl. Asia in 1880s, incl. Kingdom of VietnamKingdom of Vietnam

When French fall to When French fall to Nazis and Japanese Nazis and Japanese in World War II, in World War II, Vietnamese led by Vietnamese led by Communist Ho Chi Communist Ho Chi Minh begin revoltMinh begin revolt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT90Qu55O4Uhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erf52WGnM4g&feature=related

HO CHI MINHHO CHI MINH

Defeats French in Defeats French in 1954 at Battle of 1954 at Battle of DienbienphuDienbienphu

French, French, Communists sign Communists sign Geneva AccordsGeneva Accords

GENEVA ACCORDSGENEVA ACCORDS

Laos and Cambodia to become Laos and Cambodia to become independent kingdoms.independent kingdoms.

Vietnam split into North – under Vietnam split into North – under Communist control, and South – non-Communist control, and South – non-CommunistCommunist

Elections to be held in two years Elections to be held in two years (1956) to decide government for (1956) to decide government for whole countrywhole country

THE OUTCOMETHE OUTCOME

Elections are never heldElections are never heldUS and South VietnamUS and South VietnamFear Communist trickeryFear Communist trickery

Ngo Dinh Diem is made Ngo Dinh Diem is made President of South Viet-President of South Viet-Nam with American Nam with American backingbacking

DOMINO THEORY and DOMINO THEORY and COMMITMENTSCOMMITMENTS

US pledged through SEATO (Southeast US pledged through SEATO (Southeast Asia Treat Organization – like NATO for Asia Treat Organization – like NATO for Asia) to defend Thailand, Philippines and Asia) to defend Thailand, Philippines and South Vietnam.South Vietnam.

Domino Theory – fear that if one country Domino Theory – fear that if one country in SE Asia becomes Communist, they all in SE Asia becomes Communist, they all will follow. SE Asia is considered a will follow. SE Asia is considered a “strategic” area.“strategic” area.

Desire to “buy time” for Southeast Asian Desire to “buy time” for Southeast Asian countries to develop freely.countries to develop freely.

DOMINO THEORYDOMINO THEORY

DIEMDIEM

Unpopular as presidentUnpopular as president Authoritarian, aloof from the peopleAuthoritarian, aloof from the people Buddhist protests and “betrayal” by military Buddhist protests and “betrayal” by military

officers lead to his downfall in Autumn, 1963.officers lead to his downfall in Autumn, 1963.

DILEMNA!DILEMNA!

What was US to do about South Vietnam?What was US to do about South Vietnam?

Vietcong, backed by North Vietnam and USSR, were Vietcong, backed by North Vietnam and USSR, were making gains in countryside.making gains in countryside.

But there was no viable government.But there was no viable government.

US INVOLVEMENTUS INVOLVEMENT

US backs a series of military US backs a series of military governments, begins massive governments, begins massive bombing of North Vietnam and bombing of North Vietnam and begins sending massive numbers of begins sending massive numbers of combat troops in 1965. combat troops in 1965.

The Gulf of Tonkin IncidentThe Gulf of Tonkin Incident

August 2, 1964 – USS Maddox was attacked by three N. August 2, 1964 – USS Maddox was attacked by three N. Vietnamese patrol boats.Vietnamese patrol boats.– US claimed the attack was unprovokedUS claimed the attack was unprovoked

Reality: US covert ops made the NV wary Reality: US covert ops made the NV wary – Maddox was actually collecting information to attack the NV. Maddox was actually collecting information to attack the NV.

August 4August 4thth – Second Destroyer sent to support Maddox – Both ships – Second Destroyer sent to support Maddox – Both ships come under attack – attack unconfirmed. come under attack – attack unconfirmed. – "There was absolutely no gunfire except our own, no PT boat wakes, "There was absolutely no gunfire except our own, no PT boat wakes,

not a candle light let alone a burning ship. None could have been there not a candle light let alone a burning ship. None could have been there and not have been seen on such a black night." and not have been seen on such a black night."

… … And its Resolution (Aug.7, And its Resolution (Aug.7, 1964)1964)

That the Congress approves and supports the determination of That the Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United Statesof the United States and to prevent further aggression. and to prevent further aggression.

Consonant with the Constitution of the United States and the Consonant with the Constitution of the United States and the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with its Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with its obligations under the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, obligations under the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, the United States is, therefore, prepared, the United States is, therefore, prepared, as the President as the President determines, to take all necessary steps, including the determines, to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treatystate of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom. requesting assistance in defense of its freedom.

This resolution shall expire when the President shall This resolution shall expire when the President shall determine that the peace and security of the area is determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assuredreasonably assured by international conditions created by by international conditions created by action of the United Nations or otherwise, except that it may be action of the United Nations or otherwise, except that it may be terminated earlier by concurrent resolution of the Congress. terminated earlier by concurrent resolution of the Congress.

LAOS and CAMBODIALAOS and CAMBODIA

Communist-led uprisings also take Communist-led uprisings also take place in these two monarchiesplace in these two monarchies

Vietcong make great use of the Vietcong make great use of the mountainous border with these mountainous border with these countries for their supply line from countries for their supply line from North Vietnam, called the Ho Chi North Vietnam, called the Ho Chi Minh TrailMinh Trail

HO CHI MINH TRAILHO CHI MINH TRAIL

The problem with the enemy is The problem with the enemy is that they are very hard to that they are very hard to

find….find….

TET OFFENSIVETET OFFENSIVE

Surprise attack by Surprise attack by VC and North VC and North Vietnamese across Vietnamese across South Vietnam South Vietnam during traditional during traditional truce period.truce period.

Gives lie to US Gives lie to US predictions of predictions of

speedy speedy

victory.victory.

MY LAI MASSACREMY LAI MASSACRE

American troops are American troops are ordered to destroy a ordered to destroy a South Vietnamese South Vietnamese village and end up village and end up massacring 450 massacring 450 inhabitantsinhabitants

Public reaction Public reaction against war against war inflamed, but many inflamed, but many find it excusable.find it excusable.

No end In SightNo end In Sight

““VIETNAMIZAION”VIETNAMIZAION”

Elected president in 1968, Nixon Elected president in 1968, Nixon promises to turn more of fighting over promises to turn more of fighting over to the South Vietnamese.to the South Vietnamese.

However, to support them he continues However, to support them he continues the bombing campaign on VC supply the bombing campaign on VC supply lines and, in 1970, invades Cambodia.lines and, in 1970, invades Cambodia.

Bombing destabilizes Cambodia’s Bombing destabilizes Cambodia’s neutral govt., leading to Red Khmer neutral govt., leading to Red Khmer Rouge victory and “killing fields”Rouge victory and “killing fields”

PEACE TALKSPEACE TALKS

Begin in 1970Begin in 1970 Two years spent Two years spent

arguing over the arguing over the shape of the tableshape of the table

Cease-fire signed Cease-fire signed in January, 1973.in January, 1973.

American troops go American troops go home. Most home. Most prisoners of war prisoners of war are released.are released.

END OF WAREND OF WAR Communists break Communists break

cease-fire terms and cease-fire terms and quickly overwhelm quickly overwhelm South Vietnamese.South Vietnamese.

North and South North and South Vietnam are re-unified. Vietnam are re-unified. Saigon becomes Ho Chi Saigon becomes Ho Chi Minh CityMinh City

Communists also win in Communists also win in Laos and Cambodia-Laos and Cambodia-Bloodbath in CambodiaBloodbath in Cambodia

ATERMATHATERMATH

Massive refugees, incl. “boat Massive refugees, incl. “boat people.”people.”

Vietnam unites under a communist Vietnam unites under a communist government; Saigon renamed Ho Chi government; Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City.Minh City.

Cambodian “killing fields”Cambodian “killing fields” http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=s_FcdWqBZEQv=s_FcdWqBZEQ